NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES GET $59.6 MILLION TO SUPPLEMENT HOMELAND
SECURITY EXPENSES

The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
(COPS) has awarded $59.6 million in homeland security grants to a total of 294
law enforcement agencies from each state. The grants will be used to supplement
locally budgeted overtime expenses resulting from increased community policing
patrols and services related to the ongoing threat of terrorism. The grants will
also support programs that increase community safety and security, and reduce
public fear. Today's grants were awarded under the new COPS Homeland Security
Overtime Program, which was established to address one of the most critical
issues confronting local law enforcement agencies since 9/11.

The grants will supplement officer overtime budgets for one year, and will
fund up to 75 percent of the additional overtime costs of training and increased
patrols related to homeland security concerns and fluctuations in the national
threat advisory level. The grants may also cover overtime expenses resulting
from the loss of police officers that are military reservists and have been
called to active duty.

Grants were awarded to law enforcement agencies based on either the size of
the population served or the number of officers the agency employs. COPS
received 2,039 applications requesting $238.5 million. Fourteen percent of the
applicants, or 294 law enforcement agencies, received grants. Of the $60 million
appropriated for this program, $40 million was awarded to law enforcement
agencies that serve a population of 150,000 or higher, and the remainder was
awarded to agencies that serve fewer than 150,000 citizens.

"Since 9/11, the demands on local law enforcement resources have
increased considerably. Police and Sheriffs' Departments are doing more, and
it's costing them more. These grants will help their budgets keep pace with
their increased responsibilities," said COPS Office Director Carl R. Peed.

Since 1995, COPS has provided more than $6.9 billion to nearly 13,000 state
and local law enforcement agencies to hire over 118,000 officers, deputies, and
troopers. COPS also provides community policing training and technical
assistance resources.

For information on law enforcement agencies in your area that received
funding, visit http://www.cops.usdoj.gov.